Question & Answers with Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

If you want to quicken the pace then keep listening to knowledge again and again. Read at least one page of Yoga Vashishtha, Ashtavakra daily. Keep doing satsang, seva, satsang, meditation.

Maya has long hands and the pull keeps happening. With the help of the rope, one to has walk away from the pull. Satsang, sadhna, satguru are all there for this only.

Q: I want to trust everybody but when I begin to do that something stops me. What should I do?

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:

Doesn’t matter. Step by step, you will reach there someday. At least you are now aware that you doubt everybody. Doubt won’t stay for a longer period. And when doubt is not there, faith naturally happens. It will happen on its own.

Q: Can you please talk about our karma governing our future?

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:

Yes, your karma forms your future. I have talked about all these things in the book ‘An intimate note to the sincere seeker’. You should read that.

Q: I want to understand the relation between spirituality and the material world? Does material prosperity and the spiritual world coexist?

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:

Prosperity and spirituality can coexist but greed and spirituality can’t coexist. Unethical means of earning money and spirituality simply cannot coexist. If you have a factory or a business, you can continue do that and still be very ethical. You don’t have to leave your industry, which may be giving employment to a few hundred or more people, for spirituality. There is no need of saying materialism is bad and leaving that you want to go towards spirituality. That is not at all necessary. You can continue doing your duty. This is what is expressed in one of the scriptures ‘Ashtavakra’ where Ashtavakra told king Janaka that he can be a king and be totally spiritual. King Janaka was the embodiment of the highest knowledge. There are many examples like this. What I usually say is ‘keep money in your pocket and not in your heart or head’. When the money is wrongly placed that is when the problem arises. In India, materialism and spirituality are not in conflict with each other. Lakshmi – the symbol of material prosperity is portrayed pressing the feet of Narayana - the symbol of spirituality. We always say LaxmiNarayana which refers to the combination of wealth and spirit. But it is very important to note that greed and spirituality don’t go together. Unfortunately we associate negative tendencies like greed and jealousy with materialism. Even if you have to do charity, you can’t do it with an empty bowl. How can you think of feeding ten hungry children with no money at hand? Is it not your dharma to feed them? In one of the ancient scriptures in India it is said ‘Righteousness comes from wealth. Proper governance is the basis of the economy‘. I think it is all connected. And the most important is the faith in the being, the highest self - the faith that I am going to get whatever I need and whenever I need. Then you give miracle a chance. Materialism is measuring every step too much. (Then you don’t know when the stock market is going to crash and banks are going to be bankrupt.) Don’t bank your faiths on the banks but bank your faith on the divinity and the power of your own sankalpa(positive sankalapa) and thoughts.

Q: Does astrology and planets carry any importance? There are so many television channels which talk about stones and planetary effects. Should one believe in those?

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:

Astrology has its importance. Astrology is a science but astrologers are not scientists. So any astrologer cannot be trusted like that. What is shown on television is very general and not specific to one person. Planets do have their effects but know that you have much greater power than that. ‘Om Namah Shiva’ – this mantra is like a shield and it takes care of all planetary effects.

Q: What makes a child learn wrong language?

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:

Every child is born innocent. But they learn abusive language from environment. Initially they only imitate their parents or people in their surroundings. But then it becomes a habit. Whatever you give comes back to you. That spoils your mind only.

Q: Guruji, with your grace I got a new car but if you don’t sit in it, what’s the fun of having the car?

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:

Your body is the car of which the heart is the motor. It’s enough for you to have a seat for me there. What’s the fun of sitting in the other car! Make me reside in your heart.

Q: What are your thoughts on vegetarianism?

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:

There is so much research in the US on vegetarianism. I have always been a vegetarian; I don’t know anything other than being a vegetarian. Some people say you must eat fish and meat for protein but if you have the proper balance of protein you are fine without it. If you don’t, you should eat some. I eat a little yogurt at least once a week. Vegetarianism is very essential for spiritual practice.

Q: I feel hurt with people talking negative things.

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:

We give rise to others with our perceptions. If you look upon someone as a friend, that would be beneficial for you. If you take them to be your enemy, then that will happen.

Q: You often say we all are like your hairs and you come to know even if one hair is stretched. I have been pulling your hairs since many days, but it seems as if you haven’t noticed it?

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:

(With a naughty laughter) yes, some of the hairs seem to have been uprooted! Everything has its own time. If you pray and wish all your prayers get fulfilled today itself, it is not possible. Have patience. (Making a gesture with his hands where right hand is facing audience and second is slanted downwards, and both palms shown above) Have you seen hands of all Gods and Goddesses like this? Same for Laxmi, Vishnu…Do you know its meaning? Have patience, I am giving. This is one meaning, when you need something. Another meaning is – come, surrender and you find there is no need to be afraid of anything whatsoever. (Right palm raised and facing audience) This is called abhaya mudra. Abhaya means without any fear. (Left hand slanting downwards with palm facing sky) And this is called Varada mudra which indicates - I am giving you whatever you want. I don’t mind even if you ask for more.